68-(1) and 46-(1) stamped on passport

This is a common question asked by Filipinos in Facebook groups. What does 68-1 or 46-1 stamped on the passport mean? The numbers refer to the articles in the Immigration Control Act of South Korea.

68-(1) and 46-(1) stamps

68-(1) means “Order of Departure”. This is stamped on the passport of an overstaying foreign passport holder who surrendered to the Immigration Office and volunteered to leave the country. In the Immigration Control Act, Article 68 contains the following:

Article 68 (Departure Order)
(1) The head of office or branch office, or the head of the foreigner internment camp may order any foreigner falling under any of the following subparagraphs to depart from the Republic of Korea: Read the rest here.

On the other hand, 46-(1) means “Order of Deportation”. It is stamped on the passport of an overstaying foreign passport holder who was caught by immigration officials. This carries a ban of a maximum of five years before the individual could come back to Korea. Article 46 of the Immigration Control Law of South Korea contains the following:

Article 46 (Persons to be Deported)
(1) The head of office or branch office or head of a foreigner internment camp may deport any of the following foreigners from the Republic of Korea according to procedures as prescribed in this Chapter: Read the rest here.

A common question asked by those who had the numbers stamped on their passport is: will they be able to apply for the EPS-TOPIK and be admitted as EPS workers? Here is what the official EPS website says:

Based on the information above, a person who had the 68-(1) or 46-(1) stamped on the passport is not eligible for the EPS visa. Even if the applicant passes the EPS-TOPIK test and gets chosen by an employer, the Immigration Office in South Korea will check the record of the applicant. They have the final decision on the visa application.

Is it possible for someone who left voluntarily to go back to Korea as a tourist? It is possible but only if they could get a visa from the Korean Embassy in their country.

No Entry-Ban on Voluntary Departure

Earlier this year, the Immigration Office announced a “no entry-ban” on overstaying foreigners who would voluntarily leave Korea until the end of the year.

Exemption from a re-entry ban for voluntary departure

â‘ Duration : 2016. 4. 1. ~ 9. 30. (6 months) – EXTENDED to December 31st
â‘ Place : Immigration offices at all ports of entry
â‘ Benefits for voluntary departure
â Exemption from the re-entry bans which were imposed due to the period of overstaying.
â€» Previously, there was an exclusion period for up to 2 years depending on the length of overstaying
â Exemption from the penalty for illegal migrants and their employers.
â Leaving the country freely without detention.
â Entering the ROK after receiving the re-entry visa from the diplomatic mission abroad.

â–¸ If you were deported as you were caught by the authorities, you would be banned from returning for up to 5 years regardless of the period of overstaying.
â–¸ There would be enhanced criminal penalty including accusation, etc., and increased fines would be imposed as well.

â‘ Procedure for voluntary departure
â If you choose to return to your home country voluntarily, you should come with a flight ticket and valid passport or travel document and report your voluntary return status to immigration offices at all ports of entry on your departure date.
â€» If you entered this country using a forged passport or any other abnormal ways, there will be more time needed for verification of identity. In these cases, you should contact and visit Immigration offices at ports of entry at least 3 days in advance of your departure date.
â‘ Contact details
â If you have any further inquiries, please contact the Immigration Contact Centre(â˜Ž 1345) or Immigration offices at ports of entry.
â€“ Incheon Airport : â˜Ž 032-740-7391~2 â€“ Gimhae : â˜Ž 051-979-1300

Hi, my friend was overstayed in South Korea for al most 9 months and he voluntarily travel back. Immigration officer put stamp of 68-1 on his passport. Now he wants to go back on employment visa through EPS-TOPIK system. Can he get employment visa and can be entered in South Korea ?

HI, i left korea in december, after 4 month overstaying there. My country doesn’t need visa to go to Korea as tourist, even then Ineed to ask for a visa as tourist? And is it posible to find a job with other program different than the eps? Thank you

Ask ko lang if I will have issues sa airport when I landed to South Korea. I already granted a visa though kinda worried because I got banned to enter Korea for 5 years but It has been 7 years already. I was also able to go back before because I am married to a Korean mumtilple times but then we got sperated and never had communication so I wanted to go back again to clear up my status.

hello there i was given the 46-1 stamp in 2015 july tried to enter then found out i have one year ban its been two years now im american with free visa. my question for u is now my ban is over do u think i could gain entry into south korea as of now or will there be issues

Hi! I got deported in March 2013. I forgot what stamp they put on my passport but I was caught by the immigration after 10-20 days of over staying. When can I apply? Can I apply before march but will travel back in march 2018?

I have came to korea twice 2010 and 2013 but i was caught among with some workers in a factory when i went to visit a friend of mine and got deported with two months valid visa on my passport, the immigration incharge of my case told me the 32-1 code on my passport meams that i can still enter kirea after one year, please can you trow me more light on this, thanks

Good day Ms Betchay!
I have a question. My cousin overstayed for about 5 days extra. Upon his return, his passport got a stamp 67-1. Is he banned from entering Korea in the coming month, say November? And I saw that for frequent visitor, we can apply a special visa? Would it be recommendable?

Hi Miss Betchay. I was repartraited from korea with a four-day oversaty. Now I wish to go beack to korea. I have korean step mother who has legally adopted me. Is it possible she can invite me back to korea?

Hi Betchay
May I ask a question?
I was live and work in South Korea many years. But my Korean skills was very low. Then I attended Korean language university to improve my Korean . So I applied student visa to study . After a few months my visa expired then I overstayed about 6 months in Korea. So I voluntary leaved Korea… Then 27.09.2016 they are stamped my passport 68-(1) so can back to Korea again ?????